LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Bobcat Fire in the Angeles National Forest has increased in size 60,557 acres, and although containment is widening from 9% to 15%, a new evacuation order was issued today for areas of the foothills.
Early Friday afternoon, new evacuation orders were issued for an area east of Highway 39, south of East Fork Road, west of Glendora Mountain Road and north of Glendora Ridge Road.
“Mt. Wilson is still safe and we will continue to focus on the north end of the fire,'' Angeles National Forest officials said in a statement after daybreak Friday.
Other evacuation orders remain in effect in the Antelope Valley.
About 10 p.m. Thursday, forest officials tweeted: (The) fire is still impacting Mt. Wilson. It is almost out of the critical section. Crews and engines are on-scene to defend infrastructure. “Additionally, there is some strategic burning being used to expand containment lines.''
The fire was 3% contained earlier this week, and containment was increased to 9% Thursday, as crews worked throughout the day to protect the Mount Wilson Observatory and nearby broadcast towers valued at more than $1 billion from approaching flames.
“Fire activity remained active around Mt. Wilson with crews and equipment working very hard to protect infrastructure,'' the U.S. Forest Service reported.
On Thursday, the fire had increased in size to 55,617 acres.
Observatory personnel were evacuated. Mount Wilson is not only one of the crown jewels of astronomy but also home to infrastructure that transmits cellphone signals and television and radio broadcasts for the greater Los Angeles Area.
Early Thursday afternoon, residents in the Juniper Hills, Paradise Springs and Devil's Punchbowl areas were ordered evacuated, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The fire was reported to be growing northward.
Operations throughout the early morning will focus on the north end, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
A Red Cross evacuation center has been set up at Palmdale High School at 2137 E. Ave. R.
Evacuation warnings were also issued Thursday evening for the unincorporated area of Wrightwood, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported.
The U.S. Forest Service reported Thursday the fire crossed Highway 2 near the junction with Highway 39, into Pleasant View Wilderness, moving toward Juniper Hills and Devil's Punchbowl.
Full containment of the fire, which will be achieved by way of cleared vegetation, was not estimated until Oct. 30, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials had earlier estimated full containment by Oct. 15 but revised that date on Sunday.
A closure order for all National Forests in Southern California was extended to Monday.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended its smoke advisory through Friday afternoon with most of its jurisdiction experiencing smoke impacts.
The Los Angeles Zoo, which closed Sunday due to poor air quality and had hoped to reopen on Tuesday, announced it will remain closed through Friday.
The zoo plans to open Saturday, and urged people who purchased tickets during the closure period to visit the facility's website to reschedule.
“Based on past fire events in the area, we do not anticipate air quality issues to affect our animals,'' according to a Twitter post from the zoo.
“However, our animal care and veterinary health staff are closely monitoring the animals in outdoor habitats and are preparing to respond as necessary.''
The Bobcat Fire erupted on Sept. 6 near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area northeast of Mount Wilson and within the Angeles National Forest. The cause remains under investigation.
Photo: Getty Images